All You Need to Know About Non-Binding Moving Estimates

All moving companies usually provide a potential client with one of three types of moving estimates when they visit your home to assess your existing items and offer you a quote that says how much a move will cost you.

Though it is always advised that you get the estimate done by calling an expert to your home, some companies also provide you with over the phone estimates. The latter is not a good option as you might be quoted a small price but asked to pay a heftier price later on.

There are usually three types of moving estimates, binding, non-binding and not to exceed estimates. Here we are telling you all about non-binding estimates. Read on to know whether it’s a good option for you.

Simply speaking a non-binding estimate is the most common type of estimate that is used by removalist companies. This is an estimate which is provided as a ballpark approximation of what a move will cost you based on initial assessment of your total shipment and the items you possess.

Most often this estimate is changed due to several factors like shipment weight, different services rendered, etc. In crux, these estimates vary a lot and do not serve as a contract.

Top Rules of Non-Binding Estimates

You are not required to pay any fee to the company for just providing you with a non-binding estimate. Hence, they are totally free of cost.

You as a customer should be given a copy of a non-binding estimate that must describe the shipment as accurately as possible. This rule is to prevent the mover to asking for a too low price to reel you in and then rising it considerably after the move.

The mover must include a written statement in a non-binding estimate that the initial figure is subject to change depending on many factors during the move.

If the moving company notices that you have added more items to the shipment it can offer a revised estimate and charge a high price from you.

In case a moving company needs to provide you an additional service during the move to make things smoother, you should be notified of it at least one hour earlier so that you can decide whether you want to include these services or not.

Any moving company may not collect more than 110 percent of the initial estimate upon arrival.

Pros and Cons of Non-Binding Estimates

The biggest drawback of this estimate is that you as a customer are often lured in by quoting a low price that can be increased exponentially later on. In most cases, you can’t do anything but pay the amount that has been asked after the move.

The advantage of this estimate is that it’s free of cost and quick. We suggest that people who need to move with light shipments in a short amount of time should stick to these estimates.